Regulating apparatus



' April 16, 1929; L. H. VON OHLSEN 1,709,757v

REGULAT ING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1926 14 TTOR NE Y.

LQUIS E. VGN OHLSEN, GE NEV] HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SAFETYCAR,

HEATIKG (535 LIGHTIHG'VOOM PANY, A CSRPOEATION 0F NEVJ'JERSEY.

BEGULATING APPARATUS.

Application filed May 28,

"his in *ention relates to systems of electriral 'ibution, and morepartlcularly to systems in which a relatively large number of devices,such as electric lamps, are operated in series from a relatively highvoltage source. One of the objects of this invention is to provide asimple and thoroughly practical system of the above-mentioned charactercapable oil dependable and rellable operation in practical use. Anotherobgect is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical regulatmg meansfor safeguarding the serially connected lamps in such a system ofdistribution against over-voltage and hence against burningout of thelan gs, either due towidechanges in the voltage of the source or due tochanges in the total resistance oi the serially connected lamps as oneor more of the latter become burned out. Another object is to provideregulating apparatus of the above-mentioned character which will besimple and inexpensive in construction, capable of embodiment in compactpractical form, and well adapted to meet the widely varying conditionsof hard practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part)ointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly, consists in the features oi construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will beexcnuilified in the s iructure to be hereinafter described and the scopeof the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. 7

In the accompanying drawing, in which ar shown several of variouspossible embodiments of certain of the electrical features of myinvention,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuit arrangementsand of the apparatus embodying a preferred form of my invention Fi 2 isalike diagrammatic representation illus ting a modification of certainfeatures oi? my invention; and

3 is a like diagrammatic representation illustrative of a mddificationin certain details of my invention and illustrative of the achievementof certain other advantages of my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

As conductive to a clearer un oerstanding of certain. features of myinvention, it may at 1926. Serial No. 112,332.

this point be noted that in certain systems of electrical distribution,such as in certain systoms of illumination, for example, the source ofcurrent is of a voltage relatively high with respect to the voltage ofthe individual lamps which it is desired to employ in such systems it isusual toconnect the individual lamps in series so that the total voltageavailable is commensurate with that of the summation of the operatingvoltages of the individual lamps. Such systems of illumination, however,larg'ely employed in rapid transit vehicle servicesuch asv subways andthe like, are characterized by a number of disadvantages and limitationswhich my invention aims to overcome. For example, the burning-out of onelamp in such systems makes the entire series of lamps inoperative, andeven though the lamp thus made inoperative may be shortcircuited so asto complete the circuit, the remaining lamps are thereby made to operateat an abnormally high voltage with the result that th y are rapidlyburned out.

A dominant aim of my invention to provide a thoroughly practical systemof illumination in which any desired number of lamps of appropriatepotential maybe serially arranged to be operated from a relatively highvoltage source and wherein the burning-out oi one or more or any numberof the lamps in a circuit may take place without endangering theremaining lamps; and a further aim of my invention is to achieve thisobject with apparatus and devices of simple and inexpensiveconstruction.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there isshown at 10 a suitable source of current which may, for example, be or apotential in the neighborhood from 450 to 700 volts or there )outs. Aplurality of lamps ort anslatii devices 11 are connected in series, andthough in the drawing only four of such devices are shown,

it will be understood that any suitable or appropriate number may bethus arran ed. Each device or lamp 11 is provided m a device generallyand diagrammatically indicatedat 12, arranged so that when one of thelamps 11 burns out, the device 12, as sociated with that lamp,short-circuits the terminals of the burned-out lamp, thereby tomaintainthe series circuit through the ren'iaining lamps 11 intact. Thedevice i2 may take any suitable or appropriate fo m, for

example, such as what is known as alila1nent cutout, and need not bespecifically illustrated or described.

The series of lamps 11 is connected by conductor 13 to one side of thesource of current 10, whereas a conductor 14 leading from the otherterminal of the source 10 completes the circuit throu 'h a current coil15, a variable resistance 16, the latter preferably in the form of apressure-responsive carbon pile. thence through any appropriate numberof serially arranged fixed resistances, of which only two are shown inthe drawin namely, the resistances 17 and 17. Each of the lixedresistances norn'ially short-eircuited by an appropriate switch; thusthe resistance 17 is slmrt-circuited by the switch 18 and the resistance17 short-circuited by the switch 18.

The pressure on the carbon pile resistance 16 is variable by means of abell-crank lever 19pi\'*oted as at 20, a spring" 21 acting to tend tocompress the carbon pile 16. Associated with the current coil 15 is acore 22 connected to an end of the bell-crank lever 19 so that anytendency of the current in the circuit, which, when the parts are intheposition shown in Fig. 1, will be seen to include the coil 15, variableresistance 16, and the serially connected lamps 11, to increase beyond avalue connnensurate with the normal rating of the lamps 11 will cause adecrease in the pressure uponthe carbon pile 16 with consequent increasein the resistance 01'' the latter. The carbon pile regulator thereforewill maintain substantial constancy of current in the series circuit,not merely throughout changes in the potential of the source 10, whichpotential may vary substantially, but also throughout changes in thetotal resistance of the serially connected lamps 11 throughout a predetermined range. I

The carbon pile regulatm: is of relatively low capacity, in order toachieve greater n'iccty of regulation as well as to achieve greaterel'ticiency; and assuming that one of the lamps 11 burns out, itsterminals are at once SlNEI't-ClltlllltC-(l by its associated device 12.but the corresponding decrease in the total. re. 'stance oi the seriesof remaining lamps 11 is at once con'ipensated, for by a commensurateincrease in the resistance of the carbon pile 16, due to the action oithe solenoid 1522. As successive lamps 11 burn out. this action ofu'iaintaining substantial constancy oi current through the remaininglamps by the carbon pile regulator 16 is repeated until the maximumohmic value of the carbon pile 16 has b en reached. Further burning outof lamps, therefore, would find the remaining operative lamps devoid offurther protection against increase in current due to the range 01action 01"? the carbon pile resistance 16 having become e hausted. Andit is at this point that one of the plurality of fixed resistances 1C'17, etc. is brought into action.

The switch 18 is held in short-circuiting position by a coil or magnet23 connected by conductors 2 1 and 25 across the series of lamps 11; theswitch 18 is held in shortcircuiting )esition by a coil or magnet 23also connected across the series of lamps 11. lllagnet 23, however, soconstructed that it permits the switch 18 to open as soon as a reductionin voltage across the series of lamps 11 has taken place, whichreduction will he connuensurate with that due to the burninegout ofenough lamps 1.1 to cause the carbon pile regulator 16 to reachsubstantially its maximum ohmic value. l /hot such a rcduction has takenplace, switch 153 opens, and fixed resistance 17, the value of whichsubstantially equivalcnt to the maxinmm ohmic ".alue of the carbon pile.16. becomes inserted in the series circuit. Tie consequent tendency toreduce the current in the circuit permits the spring 21 to bring thecarbon pi e 16 up to substantially its maximum compres 01 1 so that thecarbon pile regulator, under the control 01 the current coil 15, m

recommence its regulating action lln'oughout entire range oi? chang e 1nolnnic va. uc.

As soon the caroon pile 16 has again reached its maximum ohmic value dueto the continued burning-out of lamps 11, and after one or the pluralityof lixed resistances has been inserted in the circuit, a further andlike reduction in voltage oecomcs ell'ectivc to cause the magnet Zi toopen the switch 18 and insert the next lined resistance 17. 'l he 1112net 23, as will be understood from the i e going, open-circuits theresistance 17 at a voltage commensurate with that across the lamps 11when the resistance 1'? has all-cad" been inserted and the carbon pile16 extended to its maximum ohmic value The carbon pile 16 becomes againcompressed under the action of the spring; 21, and may repeat itsregulatlira action throughout its range, as herein bc lore described, itbeing understood that as many listed resistances and coat-ting relays orcontrolling switches therejl'or are provided as may he desired, each onebeing, as will now be clear, made operative at succes ivcinter vals oftime corresponding to succc \c diminulions in inc total resistance ofthe o't lilllilT-S 11 in increments corresponding to th maximum ohmicresistance of the carbon pile 16.

Thus the burning-out SUCCQSF-llY0lV of number of the lamps 11 iscll'ectiielv vented from causing the remaining operative lamps to besubjected to over-voltage. and it will be seen that the apparatus, eventhough the carbon pile regulator oi low capacity or low range, may bereadily adapted to meet the widely varying conditions that may be met.As iliiuztratijve of the latter condition, it may be pointed out that myinvention preill)

lfii) 1 longer, under peculiarly of advantage where, for example, fronreighteen to twenty 30-volt lamps are intended to'be operated in serieson a 550- volt circuit.

In Fig. 2, in which many of the parts illustrated in Fig. areduplicated, the resistances 17 and 17 are normally held short-circuitedby the switches 18 and 18 the magnet controlling the opening oftheswitch 18 to bring the lined resistance 17 into the series circuit,however, com n'ises a current winding 26 connected to be responsive tothe current flow in the series circuit; the winding 26 is preferablyincluded directly in the series circuit. The magnet controlling theswitch 18 includes preferably a voltage-responsive winding 27 connectedby conductors 28 and 29 to be responsive tothe potential drop across theresistance 17.

In operation, the switch 18 is opened by the magnet 26 when the carbonpile 16 can no the action of the solenoid 22, cause a further decreasein'the current in the seriescircuit, that is, when the ohmic value ofthe carbon pile 16 has reached its maximum. The fixed resistance 17 isthus brought into the circuit so that the carbon pile 16 may operateagain throughoutits complete range. As soon as the carbon pile hasagain, however, reached its maximum value of ohmic resistance, thepotential drop across the resistance 17 will have reached acorresponding predetermined value, and it is at this predetermined aluethat the magnet 27 opens the switch 18, thus to bring into the circuitthe fixed resistance 1'? and to permit the carbon pile 16 to be operatedagain throughout its entire range. As is true of the arrangement shownin Fig. 1, as many fixed resistances 17, 17, etc. with correspondingoperating coils as shown in Fig. 2 may be employed.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a possible modilied embodiment of certainfeatures shown in the arrangement in Fig. 2. In the arrangement of Fig.the switch 18 will be seen to be controlled by a current coil 26operating as described, in connection with Fig. 2, but instead ofemploying a fixed resistance 17 per so, the coil 30 of the switch 18"(which controls the insertion of the resistance 17) is connected acrossthe contacts of the switch 18 and has a resistance substantiallyequivalent to the maximum ohmic resistance of the carbon pile 16.

In operation, therefore, a continued increase in current due to theinability of the,

carbon pile 16 to be further increased as to resistance, brings intoaction "the current coil 26 so that switch 18 is opened; thus the coil30 is brought serially into the circuit and with it also a resistance,embodied in the coil itscltt. equivalentsubstantially to the maximumohinic value of the carbon pile 16. As soon as the carbon pile has againreached its maximum ohmic resistance, and due to its resultant inabilityto further bring about a decrease in the current as further lamps areburned out, for example, the resultant increase in the current throughthe coil 30 brings into action the switch 18*to insert serially into thecircuit a resistance diagrammatically shownin Fig. 3 as a fixedresistance 1'? but which may, as will be clear from the foregoing,include a coil of a successive switch having a likeresistance,

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention asystem and apparatus in which the'several objects hereinbefore noted, aswell as many practical advantages are successfully achieved. It will beseen that the lamps are thoroughly safeguarded a-gainst oliang'es'in thepotential of the source 10, and more particularly will it be seen thatthe series of lamps 11 are dependably safeguarded against changes thatmay be brought about due to one or more of the lamps becominginoperative. The apparatus and system, it will be noted, is thus alsowell protected against abnormalities in the electrical conditions whichmight arise due to either relatively slight or relatively large changesin the total resistance of the serially connected devices, such as thelamps 11, it being pointed out that such changes in the total resistanceof the serially connected devices are made effective not merely to bringabout the regulating action of the carbon pile regulator 16 but also theinsertion into or the removal from the series circuit of the relativelyfixed resistances 17, 17 etc. The con trolling devices for the latterwill be seen to be responsive directly to the changes in the current inthe circuit brought about by changes in the total resistance of theseries of lamps 11, whether the controlling coils or magnets for theseswitches be designated as currcntresponsive or voltage-responsive. Thus,for example, the windings 28 and of Fig. 1, while in and of themselvesof rela tively high resistance, are connected to be responsive to thevoltage drop across the series of lamps 11 and are therefore, in theiraction, made directly responsive to such changes in the total resistanceas will effect a corresponding 1. R. drop through the lamps. Similarly,the current coil 26 of Fig. 2 will be seen to be directly responsive tocurrent changes brought about by changes in total resistance of theseries of lamps 11, while the coil 27 of Fig. 2, shunted about thesubsequently in sorted resistance 17, will be seen to be likewiseresponsive to current changes due to changes in this total resistance.As for the coil 30 of Fig. 3, its action also will be seen to bedependent upon changes in the total resistance of the series of devices11. It will, of course, be understood that these various controllingcoils, while thus made responsive to such changes in the circuitresistance against which the system and apparatus is intended to besalrguarded, become active or effective only after the range of actionof the carbon pile 16 has been exhausted.

t will 'lurthern'iore he noted that the apparatus is thoroughlyautomatic in its action, and that the lined resistances may be automatically cut out of the circuit in exactly the reverse manner fromwhich they were inserted therein; that is, as inoperative lamps ordevices 11 are made operative or replaced, thereby to change the totalresistance of the series thereol, the controlling devices for the linedresistances are correspondingly ellective to cut out an appropriatenumber, or all, of the fixed resistances. 7

It will iiiitlici'ii'iorc be seen that the appaatus is thoroughlypractical in its nature, is of simple construction and reliable action,and may be embodied in relatively inexpensive and compact practicalform. It will lurthermore be seen tnat the system and apparatus of thisinvention is well adapted to meet the widely v rying conditions of hardpractical use.

As many possible embodiments may be llltltlc. or the above invention,and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, itis to be understood that all matter hereinbelore set forth or shown inthe accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a system of the character describec, in combination, a circuithaving serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associatedwith said lamps adapted to shortcircuit the terminals thereot upon thelamp becon'iing inoperative, the total resistance of said lampsdecreasing as lamps become inoperative, a variable resistance includedin said circuit, a coil lCSPOnSlYB to a function of the current flowingin said circuit for controlling said resistance and adapted therewith tomaintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit as the totalresistance of said lamps decreases and within the range of action ofsaid variable resistance, a resistance serially arranaed in said circuitand having; an ohmic value substantially equivalent to the m ximum ohmicvalue of said variable resistance, a switch normally shortcircuitingsaid secoml-mentiened resistance, and means adapted to open said switchto make said resistance tive in said circuit upon said variableresistance reaching substantially its maximum value.

2. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circui thavin serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associatedwith said lamps adapted to short-circuit the terminals thereof upon thelampbeco1ninginoperative, the total. ance of said lamps decreasing aslamps become inoperative, a

variable resistance included in said circuit, a coil responsive to afunction of the current flowing in said circuit for con trolling saidresistance and adapted there ith to maintain substantial constancy ofcurrent in said circuit as the total resistance of said lamps decreasesand within the range of action of said variable resistance, a resistanceserially arranged iii said circuit and having an ohmic valuesubstantially equivalent to the maximum ohmic value of said variableresistance. and a switch controlling the insertion oi saidsecond-mentioned resistance serially into said circuit and having avoltage-responsive coil connected across said serially arranged lampsand adapted to iausc operation of said switch when a decrease in voltageacross the amps takes place comn'iensurate with that caused by themaximum value or? said variable resistance.

In a system ol the character described, in cmnbination, a circuit havingserially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associated withsaid lamps adapted to shortcircuitthe terminals thereo'l upon the lampbecoming inoperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasing aslamps become in operative, a variable resistance included in saidcircuit, a coil responsive to a function of the current flowing in saidcircuit For controlling said, resistance and ada iited there with tomaintain substantial constancy of current in said circuit as the totalresistance oili said lamps decreases, means responsive to a function ofthe current in said circuit for opening one of said. switches when saidvariable resistance has been substantially extended throughout its rangeof variability, and means responsive to a function of the current insaid first-mentioned circuit with one of said fixed resistances insertedtherein for opening another of said switches substantially when saidvariable resistance has again been extended throughout its range ofvariability. 7

4. In a system of the character described. in combination, a circuithavinQ' serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps. means associatedwith said lamps adapted to shortcircu t the terminals thereof upon thelamp becoming iimperative, the total resistance of said lamps decreasingas lamps bccon'ie inoperative, a variable re stance included in saidcircuit, a co l responsive to a function of the current flowing in saidcircuit for controlling said resistance and. adapted therewith tomaintain substantial constan v of current in said circuit as the totalre, stance of said lamps decreases a d within the range of action orsaid variable resistance, a plurality of elatively fixed resistanceseach having an ohmic value substantially equal to the maxinum ohmicvalue of said variable resistance, a plurality of snvitches. one "foreach of said fixed resistances, and adapted to control the insertionserially or said fixed resistances in said circuit, and voltage coils,one for each or circuit, a coil responsive to a function oi? the currentflowing in said circuit for controlling said resistance and adaptedtherewith to maintain substantial constancy of current in said circuitthe total resistance of said lamps decreases and within the range ofaction of said variable resistance, a plurality of relatively fixedresistances each having an ohmic value substantially equal to themaximum ohmic value of said variable resistance, a plurality ofswitches, one for each of sait fixed resistances, and adapted to controlthe insertion serially of said fixed resistances in said circuit, and aplurality of voltage coils, one for each of said switches, connected inparallel across said. serially arranged lamps and each adapted tooperate its associated switch a different voltage.

6. In a system 01" the character described, in combination, a circuithaving serially arranged therein a plurality of lamps, means associatedwith said lamps adapted to short-. circuit the terminals thereof uponthe lamp becominginoperative, the total resistance of said lampsdecreasing as lamps become inoperative, a variable resistance includedin said in said circuit, a plurality of coils, one for each of saidswitches, and means connecting said coils to said circuit so that theybecome operative at successive intervals to insert serially andsuccessively said fixed resistances when the total resistance of saidserially connected lamps diminishes in successive increments equivalentto the maximum ohmic value ofsaid variable resistance.

7. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circuithaving serially arranged therein a plurality of translating devices,each of which is provided with means adapted to shortcircuit theterminals of the device upon the latter becoming inoperative, the totalresistance of said devices decreasing as successive devices becomeinoperative, means including a variable resistance for controlling afunction of the current supplied to said translating devices, arelatively fixed resistance, means adapted to insert saidrelativelyiixed resistance in circuit with said variable resistance, andmeans operative upon said variable resistance having reachedsubstantially its maximum range of operation for actuating saidlast-mentioned means.

8. In a systen'i of the character described, in combinat' m, a circuithaving serially. arranged therein a plurality of translating devices,each or' which is provided with means adapted to short-circuit theterminals of the device upon the latter becoming inoperative, the totalresistance of said devices decreas ing as successive devices becomeinoperative,

means including a variable resistance for controlling a function of thecurrent supplied to said translating devices, a relatively fixedresistance having an ohmic value substantially equiva cut to the maximumohmic value of said variable resistance, means for con nccting saidfixed resistance in series with said variable resistance, means foractuating said connecting means, substantially only when said variableresistance has reached its maximum ohmic value, a second relativelyfined resistance, and means operative when said variable resistance hasagain reached its mar-ri' mm ohmic value for inserting said second fixedresistance in series therewith,

9. In a system of the character described, in combination, a circuithaving serially arranged therein a plurality of translating devices,thetotal resistance of which serially ftlf'ztllfk' d devices may vary inaccordance with he number of devices included in the circuit, a r ilatorfor maintaining substantially constant current in the said circuitthroughout a predetern'iined range of change in the total resistance 01said devices, and

means operative substantially when said predetermined range 01"" changein total resistance has taken place for extending the range of saidregulator, said last-mentioned means including'a resistance adapted tobe inserted in circuit with said seriallyarrange'd devices. In testimonywhereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 30th day ofApril, 1926.

LOUIS H. VON OHLSEN.

